Solar Panel Installation and Battery Storage in North County San Diego
SDG&E raised rates 11.6% in January 2026, on top of a 50% increase over the past five years. A solar system in North County San Diego pays for itself in about 7 years and saves an average of $99,000 over 25 years. We are a local, owner-operated installer with more than a dozen residential solar systems completed in North County San Diego. No door-knockers. No subcontractors. Named founders on every job.
Your SDG&E bill is not going back down.
The average SDG&E residential customer paid 28.2 cents per kWh in early 2026, up from 11 cents per kWh in 2016. A 28% additional increase is currently in regulatory review. If you are running an air conditioner, an electric vehicle, or a pool pump, you know exactly what that feels like.
Solar locks in your cost per kWh. Every year SDG&E raises rates, your system becomes more valuable.
The 30% federal tax credit for residential solar expired December 31, 2025. The math still works. Here is why:
How much does solar installation cost in North County San Diego?
North County San Diego residential solar case (no ITC)
The federal credit is gone. SDG&E's rate trajectory is not.
Recent project
16.7 kW
+ 13.5 kWh battery
Fallbrook, CA
Solar vs. no solar: 25-year cost comparison
The numbers below reflect real SDG&E rate conditions in North County San Diego. The residential federal tax credit (ITC) expired December 31, 2025 and is not included. Even without it, the economics are clear.
| Without Solar | With Solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Average SDG&E rate | 38c/kWh (rising ~8% yearly) | Locked in at install |
| Estimated 25-year electric cost | ~$150,000+ | ~$51,000 (system + maintenance) |
| 25-year savings | $0 | ~$99,000 (EnergySage 2026) |
| Payback period | N/A | 6-10 years (without ITC) |
| Monthly bill impact | Increases every year | Near $0 after payback |
25-year savings based on EnergySage 2026 data for San Diego County. Assumes ~8% annual SDG&E rate increase (consistent with 2016-2026 trend). Actual savings depend on system size, usage, and rate changes.
RCH Renewables: Fallbrook-based, North County focused
Ian Crilly and Landon Raster founded RCH Renewables. One of us is on every job. We hold C-10 electrical contractor license #1108682 with the California Contractors State License Board. That is the same license that covers commercial electrical work, not just solar.
We are not a franchise. We are not backed by venture capital. We do not use subcontractors. If you hire RCH, the crew that shows up is the licensed crew you hired.
240+ projects completed across North County San Diego -- solar, battery, EV charger, and electrical. More than a dozen residential solar systems installed and operating in the communities where we live and work.
Certified by the manufacturers we install:
“5 stars from customer service to quality of work.”
Paul N, Google review
Solar, battery, or both: we match the system to your home
Solar panel installation
Enphase microinverter systems are our standard recommendation for residential. Each panel operates independently. Shade on one panel does not pull down your whole system. We size every system to your 12 months of SDG&E bills, not a generic calculator.
Battery storage
We install Tesla Powerwall 3 and Enphase IQ batteries. A battery makes solar work better under NEM 3.0. Store what you produce at noon, use it when rates are highest in the evening. If your goal is backup power, a battery covers your essentials for 12-24 hours depending on load.
Add battery to existing solar
You do not need a new system to add a battery. We retrofit battery storage onto existing Enphase and SolarEdge systems. If your current installer disappeared or is no longer in business, we can evaluate your system and add storage.
New construction
We work with builders and homeowners on new construction solar + electrical from the design phase. Pre-wiring solar conduit during framing is significantly cheaper than retrofitting.
How long does solar installation take in North County San Diego?
We review your SDG&E bills
You share 12 months of bills. We size a system based on your actual usage, not an average. No site visit required for the initial proposal.
You get a real proposal
Itemized cost, system size in kW, estimated annual production in kWh, payback period with your actual bill numbers, and financing options if you want them. Nothing hidden.
We handle the permits
We pull the permit. We coordinate with your HOA if needed. We schedule the SDG&E interconnection. You do not have to chase anyone. One of our customers, Glen Miki, had been trying to get a city permit for his solar system for over a year and a half through two other companies. We got it done. That is what permit experience looks like.
Installation
Our crew, not a subcontractor crew. Installation typically takes one to two days depending on system size. We schedule around your availability.
Inspection and energization
We coordinate the final city inspection and SDG&E permission to operate. The moment your system turns on, you will see it producing in real time in the Enphase or Tesla app.
Recent work
What North County homeowners say after going solar with RCH
“My wife and I have been trying to get our City permit for over a year and a half through other companies with no luck. RCH stepped in and got it done just like that!”
“Landon was amazing, he is very personable as well as professional. A pleasure to have working on our new solar roof and battery.”
“Committed to get the job done right and make everything look great.”
“Had a great experience with RCH Renewables. We are a new EV owner and submitted info on a Sunday via their website.”
“I 100% give my top recommendation for RCH Renewables. Running a small business can get hectic, and having an honest electrician that makes sure the job gets done, and gets done well is so crucial.”
Why battery storage matters more now under NEM 3.0
California moved residential solar to NEM 3.0 in April 2023. Under the old rules, you received full retail credit for power you exported to the grid. Under NEM 3.0, export credit is significantly reduced. But time-of-use rates still create a spread between when you produce and when you consume.
A battery changes the math. Store what you produce at noon. Use it at 4pm when TOU rates are highest. Your bill goes down further than solar alone.
We size battery storage to your actual load and your TOU rate schedule. If backup power matters to you -- keeping the lights and refrigerator on during an outage -- we spec the battery for that coverage first, then optimize for bill savings.
Learn about Tesla Powerwall installation in North County San Diego
Solar vs. no solar: 25-year cost comparison
SDG&E rates averaged 38 cents per kWh in 2025 and have increased 6-8% per year for the past decade. A typical North County home uses 700-900 kWh per month. Here is what that looks like over 25 years.
| Scenario | Year 1 cost | Year 10 cost | 25-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| No solar — SDG&E only | ~$3,420 | ~$5,800 | ~$110,000+ |
| Solar only (8 kW system, NEM 3.0) | ~$600–900 residual | ~$800–1,100 | ~$35,000–45,000 total |
| Solar + battery (8 kW + Powerwall 3) | ~$200–400 residual | ~$300–500 | ~$28,000–38,000 total |
Estimates based on 800 kWh/month usage, 38c/kWh SDG&E average, 7% annual rate escalation, $28,000–32,000 system cost. Individual results vary. RCH provides site-specific savings projections on every quote.
Which San Diego cities does RCH Renewables serve?
Our projects span the communities where we live and work. We are based in Fallbrook, which means we are 20-40 minutes from most North County homes. Not driving up from Miramar or down from Riverside.
Carlsbad
Solar, EV, battery, and electrical across the city
Fallbrook
Our HQ city, with installs throughout the area
Encinitas
Strong coastal presence, solar and storage
Oceanside
Growing solar market, full service available
San Marcos
Inland North County solar and EV installs
Escondido
Full-service coverage, inland North County
Frequently asked questions from North County San Diego homeowners
Your SDG&E bill is not going to fix itself.
If you are paying more than $200 a month and you own your home in North County San Diego, solar is worth running the numbers on. We will tell you honestly what the payback looks like on your actual bills. Not a best-case scenario. No door-knockers. No subcontractors. No bait-and-switch proposals. Just real numbers from a licensed local crew.
Ready to see what solar will save?
We pull your SDG&E bills, assess your roof, and give you a real number. No estimates built on averages. No commission-driven upsells. Just a straight answer within one business day.
Ian Crilly
Residential Manager, RCH Renewables — C-10 Licensed (#1108682)
Last updated: April 2026